• Boxing

Klitschko issues fresh challenge to Haye

ESPN staff
October 20, 2010
Shannon Briggs was hammered by Vitali Klitschko © Getty Images
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Vitali Klitschko has insisted David Haye needs to prove he is not running scared by fighting either himself or his brother Wladimir.

Vitali holds the WBC heavyweight crown, his brother the IBF and WBO titles. Haye has his hands on the WBA version, which he will defend against Audley Harrison on November 13, and Klitschko claims the time has come for the belts to be unified.

Haye came close to getting in the ring with the Klitschkos earlier in his career, but a back injury forced him to miss a bout with Wladimir. There have been claims from both camps that the other is ducking the fight but fresh from his win over Shannon Briggs at the weekend, Vitali has fired a fresh shot across Haye's bows.

"I want Haye," he said. "And only because he has the only world championship belt which is not owned by the Klitschko family.

"He has no way out. He must either face us or announce that he doesn't want to box against a Klitschko, thus admitting the words 'I am afraid'."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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